Can someone help me understand the true purpose of holy cards, scapulars, medals, etc. . .?

[lareinatortura]

I felt moved to bow. I did not feel moved to bow before a piece of wood (please do not think I am accusing Catholics of worshiping images; I am not), but before my Lord who gave His life for me.

I was thinking of His presence at the right hand of the Father and His presence in the church. The whole service was very moving for me. I just wanted to know if I am thinking the right way. Does someone have an answer?

I am not sure how good my answer is going to be for you–I still have so much to learn, and am really not qualified to give any answers. .–but, if you ask me, you are on the right mental track.

From what I have learned, that is the purpose of all of these things–to remind us of Him.

 

[pablope]

I have another question that I believe still belongs in this thread. I attended Mass on Good Friday with my husband, and I decided to participate in veneration of the cross. I had never done this before, but as my mind is much more open now than in past years and because I felt moved by God in the service, I went up. We were told that we could either touch the cross, kiss it, or bow. I felt moved to bow. I did not feel moved to bow before a piece of wood (please do not think I am accusing Catholics of worshiping images; I am not), but before my Lord who gave His life for me. Is this the correct way to do it? I mean, I do not think Christ is in that wooden figure the way He is in the Eucharist; I was thinking of His presence at the right hand of the Father and His presence in the church. The whole service was very moving for me. I just wanted to know if I am thinking the right way. Does someone have an answer?

Hi, Wed…

I am confused a little bit…you said you went up during the veneration and felt moved to bow…but it is not clear what you did…did you bow? touch the cross?

Let me put it this way…do you have a picture of a loved one…be it a grandparent…or anybody with significance in you life…and sometimes, when looking at the pic, you think about that person, have thoughts and memories of that person…and touch the picture, and feel as if you are touching the person? You may have seen this kind of scene in movies too.

Same thing with the cross/wood.

In the catholic mind, the cross/crucifix represents the crucifixion, and Christ’s sacrifice for us, His sufferings and His love for us. We do not just see at as an ordinary piece of wood. It is a memorial of Christ’s ultimate suffering and love for us…so we touch it, kiss it, bow down to it, in acknowledgment, a way of saying thanks to the Lord for His sacrifice. Touching it, somehow gives us the feeling of being there with Christ.

And also, most likely than not, that piece of wood was also blessed by the priest.

 

[wed2catholic]

Hi, Wed…

I am confused a little bit…you said you went up during the veneration and felt moved to bow…but it is not clear what you did…did you bow? touch the cross?

Let me put it this way…do you have a picture of a loved one…be it a grandparent…or anybody with significance in you life…and sometimes, when looking at the pic, you think about that person, have thoughts and memories of that person…and touch the picture, and feel as if you are touching the person? You may have seen this kind of scene in movies too.

Same thing with the cross/wood.

In the catholic mind, the cross/crucifix represents the crucifixion, and Christ’s sacrifice for us, His sufferings and His love for us. We do not just see at as an ordinary piece of wood. It is a memorial of Christ’s ultimate suffering and love for us…so we touch it, kiss it, bow down to it, in acknowledgment, a way of saying thanks to the Lord for His sacrifice. Touching it, somehow gives us the feeling of being there with Christ.

And also, most likely than not, that piece of wood was also blessed by the priest.

Thank you for posting. I am sorry if it was unclear. . .I did bow; that was what I felt moved to do, and that is what I did.

 

[pablope]

Thank you for posting. I am sorry if it was unclear. . .I did bow; that was what I felt moved to do, and that is what I did.

I think you did fine…if bowing was what you were moved to do…some do bow, some tough the wood or the image…some kiss the statue of Jesus nailed on the cross. It is what you were comfortable with.